High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Show Fight In 9-4 Win Over Rays

Episode Date: September 11, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' late rally, Kyle Schwarber's injury and the benches clearing in Tuesday night's win. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's 2FA security on Kraken? Let's say I'm captaining my soccer team, and we're up by a goal against, I don't know, the Burlington Bulldogs. Do we relax? No way. Time to create an extra line of defense and protect that lead. That's like 2FA on Kraken. A surefire way to keep what you already have safe and sound.

Go to kraken.com and see what crypto can be. Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss. See kraken.com slash legal slash ca dash pru dash disclaimer for info on Kraken's undertaking to register in Canada. What does possible sound like for your business? It's more cash on hand to grow with up to 55 interest free days. Redefine possible with business platinum. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms and commissions apply. Visit amex.ca slash businessplanner.

I'm going back to university for $0 delivery fee. Up to 5% off orders and 5% Uber cash back on rides. Not whatever you think university is for. Get Uber One for students. With deals this good, everyone wants to be a student. Join for just $4.99 a month. Savings may vary. Eligibility and member terms apply.

The two-two pitch. Swung on, line to right. A base hit for Stevenson. Marsh will score, Clemens will score, Cowell with a slide at second, and yet another undiscovered hero for the Phillies as Cowell Stevenson delivers a pinch hit, two run double and the Phillies are back in front 6-4. Vindication for Joe in the Northeast who's been mocked on this station for the love of Cal Stevenson, but he comes through tonight and helps save the Phillies and deliver a big, big win.

Welcome on, and it is the final out sponsored by Regency furniture affordable Never look so good Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Tuesday night reacting to a Real just a nice Phil's win. Obviously there's some things that didn't go well, which we'll get into but overall a nice win And before we get into everything Mets lose Braves win. They're still tied for that third wild card spot, but the magic number in the National League East

is down to 10 games, down to 10 games. They look to wrap this thing up, eight game lead in the division now with 17 to play. So the Phillies are in a really, really good spot. Getting the number down to 10 is big and obviously the Mets finally losing because they've been on a heater I think they won like nine out of the last ten games and and ultimately come out small and come up short tonight against Blue Jays so managed number is

10 a good night for the Phillies the game wrap-up sponsored by Cravett's providing CNC machine cleaning services waste coolant removal and scrap metal systems designed for efficiency and lights out manufacturing crevice dot online or crevice dot com two one five five nine two ninety four ninety four to get in if you're stuck in traffic forty thousand people there on a Tuesday night in September to see the Fills and race tonight so if you're stuck in traffic forty thousand people there on a Tuesday night in September to see the Phil's and race tonight so if you're stuck in traffic would love to hear from you your reactions to the game and what the the atmosphere is like felt like

a strong crowd per usual down at CBP tonight, but a the usual electricity came through Let's get to the biggest takeaways the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm. And again, it was, it felt like a complete team win. And the biggest thing that I think we've seen since they've pulled themselves out of this, again, they were, they were down the dumps that Tuesday night against the Marlins was rock bottom. And, you know, they talked about how resilient they were and we hadn't seen it in a while well, we're starting to see the resiliency that they've talked about and They keep having these these little injuries. They're down a good amount of players right now, you know JT and boom

Hayes Sosa will get to another one with Kyle Schwab er, but like they're you're starting to have the depth tested Kyle Schwaber, but like there you're starting to have the depth tested but also the depth step stepping up and the resiliency that they've preached I think we're starting to see more and more of and like this is this is how you close out a regular season this is how you you don't limp into the postseason this is how you see signs that this is a very healthy clubhouse. So this is a very healthy team they still believe in each other and Every single night feels like someone's kind of stepping up but Ranger not great We'll obviously get more into him as we move along here, but stuff looked flat to me

offense was able to pick him up a big night by Trey a Different hero stepped up again, whether it was Cal Stevenson or Buddy Kennedy. Like having these random moments, Cody Clemens last night, really this Cody Clemens last week, Weston Wilson. Like they've had good contributions from different guys in the roster that you need over 162 I texted a couple people during the during the game tonight and It was like imagine in April you said to yourself They're gonna be up seven games in in the division and at one point

I know it's eight now, but at one point the lineup tonight was Buddy Kennedy But at one point the lineup tonight was Buddy Kennedy Trey Turner Bryce Harper Cassiano Scott Marsh Cody Clements Rojas slash Cal Stevenson and Garrett subs like a little bit different than I think we had thoughts but they pull through and and I think the biggest thing to feel after tonight is that this is a connected team that has got the mojo moving back in the right direction bullpen was shoved city again big spot for a ryan kirkering there to get out of that keep that a tie ball game jose alvarado at the best he's looked at a while the slider you know was was again it was it was sharp it had bite he was throwing

it hard he had a 95 mile an hour slider which it feels like it's been a while since we've seen that good stuff from Alperado I think they've done a good job kind of managing his innings as the Izzy try to ramp him back up and hopefully he can Be at his best heading into the postseason the second thing the second biggest takeaway for me tonight is I Love the night that Bryce had Bryce obviously was one of the centers of discussion all day on WIP, and I'm sure in your friend circles, about him hustling and how big of a deal is it, and he can't do that in that spot.

And the guy responded, like you gotta give him credit for that, he had three doubles tonight, you know, he almost hit the home run that the fan interference but he responded he was hustling all over the field and I the thing that I love the most is He got right into the pitchers grill when When he hit Nick Castellanos and Nick Castellanos talked up the game he felt like he could he could sense that was coming because Pitcher felt like he was crumbling on the mound and for some reason

He that means you got to hit someone but I love the prices right there I he's obviously dealing with something with his with his arm he does not want to get kicked out of the game, but I think it's important that he was the first one going at the pitcher and Like when you're when your star is doing that, I think that kind of reverberates all throughout the clubhouse so I really love the night that Bryce had hopefully last night was teaching moment I I think he talked to the club you know I think that last night was like that's on me won't happen again and I think it could be a growing and a growth experience for this team so I really love the night that Bryce had of course you want to see him start

hitting the ball out of the ballpark he He is hitting baseballs hard. They're just not, you know, having the usual Bryce Harper kind of launch to them. We know he's dealing with something, but he's being productive. I mean in the last two weeks his OPS is around 950 and that's without hitting a home run. It's over a month now. So still being productive but obviously not hitting a home run which I think they need. And finally here before we go to the phones, Trey is quietly heating back up. Four home runs in his last ten games and where they are currently at in, or with some of the injuries they have, they need the stars to really perform here. They need to top the lineup to do their thing. Let's go to the phones. Colin is in Drexel Hill. What's happening Colin? Hello much. Yeah just coming, just got back from the game and honestly I think

you really hit it on all points. The four MVPs from tonight in my mind are you know Stevenson, Kennedy and then Blankenau's name his name but then and then Harper you know those three those three guys that you call up they came they didn't you know they weren't bouncing off the walls you know all game but you know towards the end of the stretch there when we needed it they came through and Bryce you know you hit her on the hit the nail on the head I mean he was three for four tonight and then I think his biggest moment of the night was when you know, Cassiana Castellanos got hit

Harper was the week I was sitting right in right field and you could see as soon as Cassiano's got hit Harper You know stepped up to that pitcher with like some some ump behind it like hey, you know, you're gonna hit my guy You got to deal with me And then right after Cassiano's got hit was when everything went nuts. Um, and honestly, I don't know what you guys can see from home, but like that, that home run, no home run by Harper from the stadium view and from what they showed on the replay in the stadium, it looked like it went out. So, uh, I don't know if that was like a missed call or not. But I'm because obviously, you know, we

only see so many things inside the stadium. But tonight, though, all around really solid win. I mean, you know, they, they toward, you know, whole stretch of the game for four, you know, I'm happy about it, because, you know, at least you're not trailing the whole game. But they stuck in it. And then at the end of the game, you know, they do what they had to do to get the job done. And and honestly that stadium was on as Fire as it's been all season in that eighth and going into that ninth inning

Yeah, I appreciate the phone call Colin I'm sure it was because obviously when there's a any kind of fight going on there's gonna be a little bit of electricity but there's just something about a random guy coming through that You know fires a crowd up and it felt loud on TV like 40,000 people obviously they've had bigger crowds but it felt like a really really cool atmosphere down there tonight. 215-592-9494 to get in if you are stuck in traffic or you know we're on your couch and watch like

I did we'd love to get your take on the game plus Coming up next. We'll get that update on a big injury some history being made and Some thoughts on Ranger and a whole lot more Observations in my notebook from the night all that's coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 W y pay when you're working out at Planet Fitness, it's a judgment-free zone so you can really step up your workout That's why we've got treadmills. And our team members are here to help, so you can be carefree with the free weights. They're also balance balls, bikes, cables, kettlebells, and T-Rex equipment. But like, no pressure.

Get started at Planet Fitness by September 13th for $1 down and then only $15 a month. Hurry, you don't want to miss this $1 down sale that ends September 13th. $49 annual fee applies. See Home Club for details. Hey, Fantasy Football owners. The road to winning your Fantasy Football Championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception.

Join me and James Co. as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers.

As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. What's better than watching your team win? Winning money while you do it. I'm Jim Costa and I cash the ticket. Mike Valeni and I give you the edge to make every game playable at college football NFL we're breaking it all down game by game your podcast feed is gonna be filled and you're gonna love it

You can click on the games you care about we do it all with our analysis We're finding games that other people aren't talking about we're turning every Saturday and every Sunday in the days when you got a chance To win don't just sit on the sidelines cash the the ticket with us. Follow Cash the Ticket in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. 1-0 on the way and it's swung on, hit in the air, right center field up the alley. Looking up is DeLuca and that is it. It's gone. It's a record breaker. Kyle Swarber with his 14th leadoff home run this season an all-time major league best 35th overall and Schwab er puts the Phillies on the board. It's one to nothing What a player welcome on back

It is the final out sponsored by regency furniture affordable never looks so good jack fritz hanging out with you On this tuesday night. Kyle Schwaber sets history. He passes Alfonso Soriano for leadoff home runs with 14. Alfonso Soriano had 13, but Kyle Schwaber has passed him. And just checking in on the Kyle Schwaber leadoff thing is, is that over? I mean, it's, it's been pretty good. It's been pretty good for the last couple of years and again he just he can give you a lead in an instant and having that at the top of lineup is really valuable and he's on his way to having another 100 RBI, 100 run, 100 walk season which again only two Phillies have done twice before Schwab eventually does it.

That's Schmidt and that's Bobby Abreu. He's a really good ball player. Now, the injury report is sponsored by the Plumbers Union Local 690, protecting the health of the nation. Visit plumbers690.org. He did leave the game earlier and he was replaced by Buddy Kennedy. And it was when he dove back to first base and I guess he hyper-extended his elbow. It was a slight hyper-extension, seemed to be precautionary. Rob Thompson even said he may be able to play tomorrow.

Now I don't think you have to play tomorrow. You already won the series. I understand Schwab's is on the, or Wheeler's on the mound. So they may want to push it at the same time. I feel like they've done the whole well maybe you'll be in there tomorrow and he's all decided on the IL so Adrenaline is a thing after games. He probably feels fine, but who knows how it's gonna feel when he wakes up tomorrow So we will wait to see on that, but hopefully it's nothing too major because again, they are really testing their depth here. Harper, he's dealing with something.

He's, we're getting a different version of Bryce Harper. Obviously Bones out, their best backup infielder is out, their catcher's out, their presumed starting left fielder is out, even though I'm not sure he really is. Like their closest they traded for took a 98 off the knee yesterday, so I don't love the the injury like little Knicks at this point of the season start to like, you know Creep up as we're heading into the postseason like obviously want these guys to be as healthy as possible

But I mean maybe they can get out of the way in the next 10 days and and everything's fine And they can be well rested and be ready to go as they enter into October But again Mets lose the magic number to win the analyst is now 10 but regardless Schwerber left the game early tonight after setting history and They think he could play tomorrow a slight hyper extension of his elbow We'll get some other thoughts here on the game tonight in a second, but George is in Warrington. What's happening, George? George hey, how you doing? What's going on brother? Sorry about that? Good good listen the place was amazing tonight

I I mean I've been to fill these games before but tonight there was something different We saw a little bit of everything we saw home runs We saw a a no homer homer like rule. We saw a fight My son got on the jumbotron. I mean this place was a rock and you know, it's a Tuesday night, right? You would think that a lot of people come out forty thousand people going strong. The place was unbelievable I just wanted to say go Phil's I think it's a great You know win for them to go into the the playoffs and I think this is great amazing time today appreciated George, yeah and

Kevin cash talked after the game how he kind of felt the pitcher there was a bit overwhelmed by being in the stadium. So again, it's easy, I guess, to have a 0.75 ERA like you had when you're pitching in Tampa and no one's there. But listen, you step into the jungle, all of a sudden it doesn't look as it doesn't look as easy. So some other thoughts on the game tonight. Ranger, I want to talk about Ranger because the stuff just looked flat like he just He kept trying to flick a curveball over and it was getting smoked his fastball command wasn't there So you had you've had a couple different versions of Ranger since he came back, you know You the first start where it's like bang. There he is

Second start not great third start a step in the right direction, but again only Five innings so and and Rob Thompson even said after one of those starts like you might be still still dealing with dead arm It it looks that way. I mean he didn't look like he had much behind his bitches And I look like like the old adage is you're aiming instead of throwing and that's what he looked like. But all of his stuff just looked flat and really hittable. So there was a situation when he gave up the lead and became 4-4 of pulling them. Obviously a lot of managerial decisions are coin flips. In that case, you know, I don't think he had it.

And I understand, like Rob Thompson is a trust his guy's guy. We all know that. He's only at like 72 pitches, I believe, to start that inning. So his pitch count was still pretty good. But he allowed 12 hits tonight. I mean, that's a career high for Ranger. And his last time he did it, he allowed eight runs. He only allowed four.

But that raised lineup is putrid. Fransky had a stat today that with runners in scoring position heading into tonight, I don't know what it is after tonight, but heading into tonight, the fifth lowest since they've been able to calculate it since 1969. Like the fifth lowest in all of baseball history since 1969 with like a 212 average with runners scoring position. Like you know he looks like he's dealing with a dead arm thing. I thought his stuff was flat. He looks like he's dealing with a dead arm thing. I thought his stuff was flat You know they he's at right now is their number four heading into the postseason. You can't pitch him over Chris He can't pitch him over Noah

and I think we we feel good about Ranger in the postseason, but like those guys have just outpitched them and The one thing I keep thinking about now obviously they obviously they can move them around with off days and stuff. So it's not, this isn't as, this doesn't sound as like dramatic as, as, it's not as dramatic as it sounds I guess. But like if Alvarado is not back and they need another lefty out there, because listen, I, Tanner Banks to me is like the fourth option lefty guy. Like the stuff that doesn't pop for me, I think he can come in and mostly throw strikes and get out, but I don't trust him to in like a relatively big spot. So, you know, if Alvarado does struggle again,

Alvarado is great tonight and hopefully is getting back to where he is, it's a really good pitcher for this team. Like Ranger could be another option out of the bullpen. Now, if his stuff looks like it did tonight, I don't think I want that at all. But I think we might be seeing more playoff Ranger than I thought, or bullpen Ranger in the playoffs than we had thought two months ago when he was when he was one of the favorites for the National League Cy Young. So maybe a dead arm thing. Hopefully they can work their way through it. I think Johan Rojas started driving baseballs. You know, like hit the ball off the wall tonight.

He's had a couple games here with some extra base hits. Like it looks like they've made some swing adjustments to him, but yeah, like I thought he's, I think he's looking serviceable at the plate. So that's been a nice development. And I do think their best option, even when Hayes comes back is still Rojas and center and and Martian left and the nice part is with all these guys getting some experience the Cal Stephensons the Weston Wilsons the Cody Clemens Cal Stephenson probably

won't be factored into this but like he they can be aggressive in these in these pinch hitting spots and he was again tonight by pulling Johan Rojas out of that situation. And they came through and helped win a ball game. So good stuff out of center field and out of Johan Rojas. Kirkering is really developing nicely here. Ryan Kirkering, heading into tonight's last 11 games, I believe his year is 0.8.

And that's a huge spot for him to come into a dirty inning runners on first and third gets a strikeout then gets out of it and That's kind of the role that Jeff Hoffman had last year heading into the postseason Obviously Hoffman is pitched into a different role now like Hoffman is your Closer if the if the heart of the lineups up or your athening guy at the heart of the lineups up He's your best reliever. So you need someone else to be able to fill that role That of the the guy that come in in the fifth the guy to come in in the sixth the guy that can come in In the seventh into a dirty inning and get a strikeout because he's their best right-handed option

after Hoffman at this point and Like Hoffman came in in the third or fourth in Atlanta last year in game one so that's what I think they're gonna start deploying Kirk Ring as is that Hoffman kinda you know first fireman out of the bullpen to try to get strikeouts and the way he's pitching his confidence has to be through the roof and and you're starting to see a different cat

It's really exciting what Kirk rings done because to be completely honest a month ago I was like, I don't I don't really see it right now. Like I thought he kind of lost that edge I think that that edge is back And I don't know if I've ever seen an umpire get squared up like he did tonight on the stop ball down the line when When the ball hit the umpire I was like, oh, this is a loss. Like, you know, they'd already kind of blown the lead. It was 4-4. They weren't really hitting that well. Stott rips a ball down the line right off the umpire,

back to the first baseman. And it's like, oh, great. Tonight's the night that we can't catch a break. It was, you know, Harry always used to say, you never know what you're going to see when you enter into the ballpark. And that was a good example of that. Also, a couple of people messaged me this and it was so true. Stubbs hit a couple of balls tonight where I was like, that's gone. There it is. Especially the one on the sixth. I've never seen so many

balls off the bat that I'm like, that could go that just completely die and and the the right fielder Barely even has to move but overall another win with stuff behind the plate the player the game sponsored by South Jersey gas Conserve helping customers and the community save energy and money Visit South Jersey gas comm slash conserve and I'll go a tray two home runs tonight he started heat back up and again, like I mentioned with the The the amount of injuries this team is dealing with it's gonna fall on the shoulders of Trey Harper Castellanos stop Marsh until they get some of the Calvary back

But either way Trey felt looked for more balanced tonight was letting the ball travel a little bit and was doing some damage So good stuff from trade night to home runs on the other side We'll get to your phone calls plus a look at tomorrow to play the game and a good moment for one of the players On the old ball club plus your phone calls and all that before handing things off to Jody Mack here on the final out on Sports radio 94 WIP who said it delivers in the pits, swung on a little flare to right, that's going to fall. It's a base hit. Stevenson around third. He's being waved home.

The throw is late and Buddy Kennedy has driven home the seventh run of the night for the Phillies. Seven-four. Good for Buddy Kennedy. Why not we make that the play of the game, Sponsored by Mike's Amazing, the official male and mustard of the Phillies. Obviously, Buddy Kennedy, a folk hero now, and he is earning his 2024 World Series ring,

you know, that'll be handed out next year. And, you know, obviously Millville Kid, group of Phillies fans, love the emotion, like he gets a hit and kind of flexes the dugout. Between Phillips, who had the couple starts there, and Buddy Kennedy, it's nice to have some of these like local kids, like I feel like everywhere else, you know, we see the freaking Diamondbacks have all of them.

Christian Walker, they have Zach Galin, like we see the Blue Jays, they have David Schneider. Feels like we've never had like a local kid on the team. You know, Goslin, I mean they drafted Jesse Biddle and he got hit in the head with hail and was never the same but like I just there's there's good amount of talent around here and officially Buddy Kennedy is the the pride of Millville the Millville meteor and and he is he is our guy but good moment for Buddy Kennedy It's a tough spot to jump into you got to take over a Kyle Schwab er

And you know gets a big hit there makes it 7-4 extends the ballgame And gets to you know tell his grandkids one day that he played for the Phillies and got a big hit and his Granddad I guess is Don money, which is awesome. I mean not money might be the one of the coolest names of all time. It is the final out sponsored by Regency Furniture, affordable, never looks so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you for the next couple of minutes before handing things off to Jody Mack. We'll get to tomorrow in a second but let's talk to Alex in Bethlehem. What's happening Alex? Yo Jack, how you doing man? Good man, let's

go win tonight. Yes sir, we're back to stacking W's. Keep stacking W's, keep stacking series wins. Absolutely, this team is rolling and Jack I hate to do it but it has to be said, I have to call out a minority of the fan base that has been so brutally over the top, critical of this organization through a month and a half of really bad baseball. And just where are those folks now? Like, they said they were done, they said they weren't going to watch anymore, they said the season was over. So I would just love to hear from those folks

Yeah, and I appreciate the phone call Alex and like I I'm not gonna be totally fraudulent Like I was worried I was 100% worried because again they had played for a long time of just mediocre to bad baseball they were Mediocre around 500 for as long as they were dominant. But the one thing that was always in the back of my mind was like, I just refuse to believe that this is going to be the end of the road for this team. And you know, I just think that some people lost some trust in this team. And I think it's been so impressive the way they have bounced back and they have seen some more resiliency and like this is the fills

We didn't need them to play at the 110 win pace But we also didn't need them to play bad baseball for two months and they're getting right back to where we need them to be Yet again, I don't need them to have the best record in baseball. I don't really want it. I'll take the two seed You know, I just just I don't really want it, I'll take the two seed. I don't need them streaking into October, but I didn't need them limping. And I think the best part, the best thing they've done in the last little bit here by pulling themselves out of this is that I think that they've brought back

the belief that this could still be a special season because it felt like that was lost for a little bit that the special season was gone and I think that they are Reigniting that flame to when red October does start the ballpark can be just as jumping just as ready to go Maybe even after a buy so that you know, you get a little extra preparation for that and That's what I think that's why I'm happy and why I feel happiness right now with the baseball team is that I thought that was maybe gone

and I didn't want that to be gone because I think that place is so special in October. And I think that when Red October rolls around a rolls right around We'll be right back to where we've been the last couple years juiced up and ready to go in a World Series and being in the best position they've been in To go win the ultimate prize tomorrow Phil's already have won the series. We'll see who's in the lineup tomorrow He's swarming the lineup to get some of these guys off their feet We'll see but it's Zach Wheeler on the mound versus Shane Baz

Unfortunately, like Chris sales kind of just running away with the National League Cy Young like Zach Wheeler has been really good His last couple starts but he just I mean Chris sales just been dominant hasn't been the toughest opponents, but he's been phenomenal So it's a shame, you know, Zach Wheeler has been the the first or second best pitcher in the National League the last three seasons But it seems like he's gonna lose the award to Chris sale at this. That's a big shame Shane Baz really good young pitcher for the Rays has been you know up and down with some injuries has Really good stuff, you know since coming back from from injury is the array is 3.06 So they will have their work cut out for them today or tomorrow Shane Baz has some has some good stuff. So it'll be interesting either way We will lead you into the game on the afternoon show and as always I will be here after the game

Reacting to it all thanks for hanging out with me tonight Francisco Rojas produced the program Jody Mack He'll take you through the rest of the night here on sports radio 94 WIBA